Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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J Joe! E. Ricks Student Body Weber State College: My heartiest congratulations to you in the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Weber. Over the seventy- five years the growth of the school has been remark- able. 1 remember Weber in the period of transition from high school to college. In 1921-1922, high school freshman were no longer enrolled. That same year the name of the school was changed from Weber Normal College to Weber College. This was done to make a broader appeal to prospective students than merely to those interested in teaching. It was to encourage those interested in general collegiate courses as well as in the professional classes that caused the change in name. Thus, before Weber reached the half-way mark, the Presidents and Faculties had the vision of a real college - a vision which you, today, have made a reality. During the long years of President David O. McKay’s Principalship and Presidency of the Board of Trust- ees, he emphasized character building as the essential of education at Weber. I hope that you are continuing that emphasis. The students of those early years loved the institution and they followed the admonition of William James, who said, “The great use of a life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” Today it is essential that we follow St. Francis of Assisi, when he wrote, ‘‘Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace.” Joel E. Ricks

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Dear Students of Weber: No one is more pleased than I am to see you go all out to celebrate this the 75th Anniversary of Dear Old Weber. For fully three decades we have dreamed of a beautiful new campus high up on the mountain side as the permanent home of a strong thriving fully accredited four year State College. That dream has come true! 1 came to Weber as a teacher of German in 1914. I taught the first college classes and was appointed the first head of the college department in 1916 when Weber acquired college status. During my first term as President (1919-1920) under the leadership of Board President, David 0. McKay, we initiated the drive for the Weber gym on the old campus. During my second term of sixteen years (1937-1953) we accomplished the following: (1). Establish the terminal vocational division upon the completion of the vocational building (2444 Adams) and bought the Central School buildings and most of the dwellings on the block; (2). Set up a very effective eighty man Citizens Committee and Advisory Board; (3). I.ost the bill in 1947 Legislature for a four year charter but won an appropriation of $50,000 toward the purchase of a new campus; (4). Raised $68,000 locally from 4500 contributors in eight days and purchased approximately 200 acres of land east of Harrison Avenue (the present site) for less than $100,000; (5). Received from Ogden Rotary Club the $25,000 gate- way. (Please notice that we left five spaces in the name-plate for the insertion of the word “State”) ; (6). Secured favorable action from both the House and Senate on our four year college bill but it was vetoed by the Governor; (7). Received a substantial faculty research grant from the American Association of Junior Colleges and General Education Board for the study of terminal vocational curricula; (8). Were cited by Look Magazine as one of fifteen colleges and universities that best serves its community; (9). Henry Aldous Dixon Established the evening school in 1938 and raised enrollment from 450 in 1938 to 2,424 in 1952; (10). Increased regular enrollment in a ten year period (1937-1947) from 705 to 1,808. The largest enrollment in the history of Weber was 14,996 (mostly war trainees) in 1944-45 with 150 members of the faculty; (11). Found $1,100,000.00 in “spill over funds” in State Treasury, talked State Board of Examiners into giving it to Weber and constructed the first building on the new campus - the present heating plant and four classroom buildings. Added a $12.00 building fund to tuition which paved the way for the new Student Union Building. Our great school as we see it today is the result of the prayers, the vision, the sacrifices and the work of past and present generations of dedicated people. On past anniversaries and festive occasions we said: “Remember that we are only guests at a table which we did not set. The least we can do is to prepare an equally bounteous feast for those who come after us”. This is my charge to you for the future. Faithfully your, Henry Aldous Dixon

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I ft ■ Aaron W. Tracy To The Studentbody of the Weber State College: Enthusiastically, gratefully, and proudly 1 congratulate the Weber State College, its students, its teachers, its President, and all Administrative Officers on the marvelous progress and humane achievements rea’ized by the Weber State College during the years 1889 to 1963. During these many years the Weber State College has carried for the people, living in the Ogden-Weber area, the torch of intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. During these years its educational services have been Ribbons of Gold with which beautiful bouquets of life have been securely bound. Also, it is for me a glorious pleasure to commend President Miller, the faculty, the students, the parents, the Board of Directors, and others for the enlarge- ment and beautification of the Weber State College campus and for the erection on this campus of several educational buildings. Furthermore, everyone who has had anything what soever to do with the creation and perpetuation of Weber State College as a four-year educational institution with its enrollment 5,461 students, and its being located in the Ogden-Weber area, is to be highly honored, respected, and commended. Why? Because the perpetuity of college education in areas of small communities is the only power by which representative government in the Americas and con- sequently in the entire world can possibly be saved. Students! Be loyal to Weber! Aaron Ward Tracy 12 -